Summary

The Knight and White Lady mourn over Anodos' body. They comment that he died well before burying him among a stand of trees and flowers on the grounds of their castle. Anodos is content in his repose beneath the earth. He feels at home in the bosom of the ground and takes joy in the birth of each new flower. Anodos is reborn in the form of a primrose that catches the eye of the White Lady. She plucks the flower and gives Anodos his first kiss. When the flower dies, he takes up residence in a cloud, where he waxes poetic about the power of love. As he floats over a city and vows to protect its inhabitants, Anodos feels a terrible pain. He convulses until he becomes aware that he is still partly alive.

Analysis

Anodos' imagination carries him away to the afterlife. He is hovering...